Abandoned Waterworks

A nice little mooch on a sunny August day, accompanied by Judderman. This small water treatment works is hidden in a little dip in some gorgeous Derbyshire countryside. I am not sure about its history as there seems to be little available.

The first thing we found was a bird's nest.

Many of the windows were boarded up so it was pretty dark in places. 

      I have no idea what any of the equipment was for or did. It is fascinating nonetheless.

                                                        Peeling paint of the best quality!

A quiet, peaceful explore. 

Alcatraz (Permission Visit)

A visit to San Francisco isn't complete without a trip to Alcatraz. This was my second trip here (the first time was in 1999) The trip needs to be booked in advance and is only a 15 minute ferry ride away from Pier 33. The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary Island (often just referred to as Alcatraz or The Rock) was a maximum high-security prison, 1.25 miles off the coast, which operated from August 11, 1934, until March 21, 1963. 

 Given this high security and the location of Alcatraz in the cold waters and strong currents of San Francisco Bay, the prison operators believed Alcatraz to be escape-proof and America's strongest prison.

Alcatraz was designed to hold prisoners who continuously caused trouble at other prisons. One of the world's most notorious and best known prisons over the years, Alcatraz housed some 1,576 of America's most ruthless criminals including Al Capon, and the "Birdman of Alcatraz". It also housed the Prisons' staff and their families. A total of 36 prisoners made 14 escape attempts during the 29 years of the prison's existence, the most notable of which were the violent escape attempt of May 1946 known as the Battle of Alcatraz. Faced with high maintenance costs and a poor reputation, Alcatraz closed on March 21, 1963.

Onto the tour . . . 

                              There are several derelict buildings on the island.

Into the New Industries Building.

The three-story cellhouse included the main four blocks of the jail, A-block, B-block, C-block, and D-block, the warden's office, visitation room, the library, and the barber shop. The prison cells typically measured 2.7 m by  1.5 m. The cells were very basic and lacked privacy, with a bed, a desk and a washbasin and toilet on the back wall.  African-Americans were segregated from the rest in cell designation due to racial abuse. D-Block housed the worst inmates and five cells at the end of it were designated as "The Hole", where badly behaving prisoners would be sent for periods of punishment, often brutally so. 

The cells are incredibly small and the prisoners were visible at all times, with just bars at the front of each cell.

                              The only inhabitants of the island are now seagulls.

The Isolation room.